Clarke County AL

Clarke County, located in southwestern Alabama, was established on December 10, 1812, making it one of the earliest designated counties within the state. Its establishment, initially part of the Mississippi Territory before Alabama achieved statehood in 1819, underscores its historical significance. The county seat, Grove Hill, became the center of governance after being moved from Clarkesville in 1832, reflecting the shifting dynamics of settlement and administration in the area. Clarke County is bounded by the Tombigbee River to the west, a crucial artery for trade and transportation in the 19th century, facilitating the county’s economic development and growth. The county’s early European-American settlers were drawn to its fertile lands and timber resources, areas previously inhabited by the Choctaw Native American tribe, making it a region rich in both indigenous and settler history. For genealogists, Clarke County provides extensive records from the early 19th century onwards, including land deeds, court records, and vital statistics, offering a comprehensive view of the families who lived, worked, and shaped the area through periods of war, economic change, and societal evolution.

Alabama Mortality Census Records

1850 Madison County Alabama Mortality Schedule optimized

The 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, and 1885 censuses included inquiries about persons who had died in the twelve months immediately preceding the enumeration. The 1850, 1960, 1870, and 1880 mortality census for Alabama all survived. Mortality schedules list deaths from 1 June through 31 May of 1849–50, 1859–60, 1869–70, 1879–80, and 1884–85. They provide nationwide, state-by-state death registers that predate the recording of vital statistics in most states. While deaths are under-reported, the mortality schedules remain an invaluable source of information.

North America Indian Names of Places in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana

The post examines the significance and origins of North American Indian place names in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana, particularly those derived from the Choctaw and Chickasaw languages. It highlights how these names reflect the rich cultural and linguistic heritage of the Native American tribes, while noting that many translations have become corrupted over time. The text provides numerous examples of place names alongside their original meanings, illustrating the deep historical connections embedded in the geography of the region.

Choctaw Burial Customs

The Choctaw, part of the Muskhogean group, occupied regions of Mississippi and Alabama until their removal in the 19th century. Their burial customs involved exposing the deceased on scaffolds for months, during which relatives mourned. Once the flesh was removed, bones were cleaned, painted, and placed in bone houses. After a significant period, a communal funeral took place, with bones arranged in mounds. These practices, which varied regionally, contributed to the numerous burial mounds found in their former territory, reflecting their unique relationship with death and the afterlife.

Alabama Land Cessions Map

The Alabama Land Cessions map, created by A. Hoen Company in 1896, documents 16 specific land cessions made through treaties and agreements between the United States and various Native American tribes prior to that year. It serves as a reference for Charles C. Royce’s compilation of Indian land cessions across the U.S., providing insights into historical land negotiations involving the Choctaws, Cherokees, and Chickasaws. Each cession is linked to treaties, detailing boundaries and land relinquishments throughout Alabama.

Mobile Tribe

The Mobile Indians, a Muskhogean tribe, are believed to have originated near Choctaw Bluff in Alabama, where they fiercely resisted DeSoto in 1540. By 1700, they had relocated to Mobile Bay, seeking French protection around 1708. Despite their friendly relations with the French and eventual Christianization, the tribe’s prominence diminished over time. By 1741, they numbered 350 families, and records of their existence faded after 1761. They primarily relied on agriculture and contributed to a trade language used across many tribes.

Clarke County, Alabama Census Records

This page provides links to online census resources for Clarke County, Alabama, during the years of 1830-1930. Available records may include federal, state, or special censuses, with transcriptions, indexes, or images depending on source. External sites supply the data for each census year.

Clarke County, Alabama Cemetery Records

This page lists known online cemetery transcriptions, burial records, and gravestone images for Clarke county in Alabama. Resources vary by cemetery and may include full surveys, partial records, mapping, or photographs. Links lead to external sites providing the available data.